Platinum Jubilee 1952 -2022

Platinum Jubilee 1952 -2022

All of us at Vine Law would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the Queen on her Platinum Jubilee.

There have been many changes in the 70 years of the Queen’s reign, including the increase in the average lifespan.  When the Queen came to the throne in the 1950s the average lifespan in the UK was around 65.  In the 2020s the average lifespan is around 81.

With the state pension age in the ‘50s being 60 for woman and 65 for men, not everyone got to enjoy a long retirement.

It’s understandable, then, that there was no real process in place for someone to help you manage your affairs in later life.  Only in 1985 did we see the introduction of the Enduring Power of Attorney, a document that allowed you to choose someone to help you manage your finances.

In 2007 the Enduring Power of Attorney was replaced by the Lasting Power of Attorney which allows you not only to choose the person or people who you wish to help you manage your finances, but also someone to make decisions about your healthcare if you aren’t able to make those decisions for yourself.

We feel that putting Lasting Powers of Attorney in place is as important as making a Will and, in some cases, it can prove to be even more important.

Without a Will, there are rules about how your estate can be divided and those rules might be fine for your family situation.  Without putting in place LPAs no-one, not even your spouse, can manage your finances or make decisions about your healthcare for you.

We were contacted in late 2021 by a client who had decided that she wished to put LPAs in place for herself.  She wanted to ensure that she could be looked after in the event she was unable to make her own decisions.  She had discussed these with her husband, but initially he was reluctant to put them in place.

After her visit to our offices she went home and discussed it with him again.  She also gave him a copy of our leaflet about LPAs.  With the benefit of the additional information she provided, he then decided that it would be sensible to get them put in place.

Unfortunately, since his visit to us late in 2021 his mental capacity has deteriorated to such an extent that the former software engineer now struggles with basic jobs on his own computer.

As the couple had maintained separate finances, without the benefit of an LPA his wife would not be able to help him manage his finances, nor, potentially, would she have any input about his long term care if a time comes when he isn’t able to remain living at home.

To mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, we are offering a 20% discount on our standard fees for preparing Lasting Powers of Attorney.

If you’d like to book an appointment to discuss these in more detail or if you’d like a copy of our leaflet please contact Cath Collins or Kieren Cross on 01945 898090 or email on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Get in touch with us

Our purpose is to offer more choice, more certainty, and an effortless client experience. You are welcome to get in touch with us for a chat about how we can help you.

Get in touch with us

Our purpose is to offer more choice, more certainty, and an effortless client experience. You are welcome to get in touch with us for a chat about how we can help you.
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Based on the Cambridgeshire/Norfolk border, Vine Law is a modern law firm. We believe that the law is a tool that everyone should be able to access and use to protect themselves, their families, and their businesses.

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Cath Collins is the accredited Lifetime Lawyer at Vine Law

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Wisbech Address
6 South Brink
Wisbech
Cambridgshire
PE13 1JA
Ely Address
32 St Mary’s Street
Ely
Cambridgshire
CB7 4ES